May 21, 2025 - Business
Tesla's tumbling brand reputation
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Tesla Motors and SpaceX saw their brand reputations crater in the past year, according to new Axios Harris Poll 100 survey results.
Why it matters: Elon Musk's polarizing political activism appears to have come at the expense of his largest companies, as Republicans expressed more favorable opinions than did Democrats, Axios' Dan Primack writes.
By the numbers: Tesla was in 8th place in the 2021 reputation ranking of America's 100 most visible companies, but last year tumbled to 63rd and now is near the very bottom at 95th.
- It placed dead last in "character," while placing near the bottom in areas like "ethics" and "citizenship."
- Six other automakers place higher, with the highest being Toyota at #4 and the lowest being Ford at #60.
- SpaceX saw a similar decline in its reputation between 2024 and 2025.
Tesla did not respond to an email request for comment on either story.
